Many animal species live in forests as their home, and when those forests are cleared, they lose a vital habitat. That means they might have less space to find food, shelter, or mates and may die out. The same goes for plants and trees, which can’t survive without their green covers.
In addition, deforestation disrupts the water cycle, removing trees that play an essential part in moving and balancing water in the atmosphere. They absorb water from the soil and release it into the air as water vapor, which helps form clouds and bring rain. This water cycle is essential for regulating Earth’s weather patterns, and deforestation drastically alters it.
A primary reason for deforestation is the need to clear land for agriculture and logging. Big agricultural businesses clear forests for cattle and soy farms, and industrial companies cut down trees for wood to make paper and building materials. These activities often leave behind bare or damaged ecosystems, and they also create fire hazards.
Other reasons for deforestation include mining and population growth. Mining activities often require large tracts of forest, and they cause erosion that threatens communities and natural areas downstream. Rapid urbanization in places like India and China are causing forests to be cleared for new homes, businesses, and roads. Road building is a major driver of deforestation because it allows people to access parts of the forest that were once remote. That, in turn, leads to more logging, farming, and settlement activities.
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